Best Things in Our City

Fun Facts

Growing a Garden in Novato

February 16, 2017

It may be February, but it’s never too early to start thinking ahead to Spring and growing a garden. There’s lots of things you can do right now to prepare for the day the sun shines again in Novato. If you’re interested in growing a garden this year, get started today with these steps!

Pick a Garden Spot:

This is the easiest step to growing a garden, but it can still be tricky! Plants generally need at least six hours of sunlight a day. So pick a spot where there’s plenty of sun and the rain can fall freely on it. Make sure it’s also easy to get a hose to your future garden! You don’t want to wrangle 30 feet of rubber across the backyard every day to keep your plants happy.

Clear the Ground:

After you’ve chosen a good spot for growing a garden, spend a day clearing the area. If there’s sod laid down, you’ll need to dig it up before you can start planting anything. Rake up the ground to dislodge any rocks that might make it hard for your plants to grow. After all the weeds and rocks are gone, lay down some fresh soil or compost.

Choose Your Plants:

This is the fun part! Think about your favorite meals and what ingredients you need to make them. And ask your kids what they’d like to plant. (Growing a garden is a great way to get them excited about eating their vegetables.) Choose plants that are appropriate for Novato’s climate. You can find a great list of fruits and vegetables and when to grow them here.

Start Composting:

While you wait to begin growing a garden, you can get started on composting! Your plants will need lots of nutrients to grow. And while store-bought fertilizer can provide for them, why not put some of your waste to good use? Buy a composting bin from the Novato’s co-op, or make one of your own, then fill it up with leftover food, lawn clippings, leaves, or anything else than can decompose. Better Homes and Gardens has a great guide on how to compost.